US 101 in N. California

[mpsgolf]

Has anyone driven US 101 from Redwood NP down to San Fran?

I'm traveling from Seattle down to Yosemite later this year and I really want to go down the Oregon coast and stop in Redwood NP on the way. But from Redwood on south 101 looks like it might be a long, slow drive with hills and curves? But cutting across the mountains from Redwood to I5 (like 299to Redding) before heading south looks even worse.

I've been through some significant mountains towing the AS (like Teton pass), but any of these routes from Redwood look like a really long haul through hills and curves! Anyone have any first hand experience with this stretch of 101 or know a good route in this area?

[sheriff1]

Take your time, you will be fine! Beautiful drive!


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

[field & stream]

Many, many times and it is not bad at all. Highway 1 down the Coast to San Francisco is a totally different story.

[Mark Wiltrakis]

Multiple times with trailer - a pleasant drive until you get close to SF. Plan a route around the city. The hills and curves on 101 are not at all problematic. I'd highly recommend taking the loop road off of 101 called the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, 4 miles S of Klamath and 6 miles N of Orick. The 10 mile drive thru the Prairie Creek redwoods passes some of the largest and oldest trees on earth. There are many pullouts and trailheads, an easy drive with a trailer. There are nice campgrounds in Trinidad, just south of here, to use as a base for multi-day trips to the redwoods.
And you'll not be disappointed driving 101 on the OR coast. Much to see along the whole route, but I'm partial to the S coast area just north of Bandon. Plenty of pullouts for a trailer along here as well.
Mark

[Mark Wiltrakis]

Oops! That should have read "just north of Brookings" - not Bandon. The area runs from north of Harris Beach State Park up to Pistol River.

[TinShack]

I just made that trip from Coos Bay, OR through the San Francisco Bay Area in September. This is about the 4th time towing my Airstream on that route and I have driven it and towed other trailers on it many other times as well. It's a beautiful drive. There are some twisty sections, but it's all good road and 4 lanes in some areas and South of Willits. Hwy 299 is very twisty, long and slow and follows the Trinity river for much of the drive.

The heavier traffic starts around Santa Rosa, CA and continues through the Bay Area so timing is important to avoid the worst traffic. If you are going through San Francisco, do not take 101 through the City as it goes right through the congested downtown. If I were going to Yosemite, I would probably cut over from Hwy 101 on the North side of the Bay Area to Hwy 116 at Petaluma to Hwy 12 and then over to Hwy 99 and South to Hwy 140.

[79nTOW]

We went right through S.F. Not a problem at all. Highway signs are clearly marked. You will be fine...enjoy the trip.

Predeta

[Rocinante]

We did this exact trip last February / March, had a lovely time. Incredibly scenic as we drove along the headlands. Trip starts here: http://www.casarocinante.com/Blog/On...o-Cannon-Beach

[McDave]

Another alternative would be to take highway 101 to highway 20 east to I 5. This takes you by Clear Lake, which is a pleasant drive, and is far enough north of the Bay Area to avoid that congestion. Then take I 5 to Sacramento, and highway 99 south to Fresno, or wherever you want to cut over to Yosemite. I can't imagine any way to get from Williams to Fresno that is not flat and boring, so bring some books on tape or something.

[kscherzi]

I live here and driven that way many times. Here's what you do for the flattest straightest route. Drive down 101 south past Willits then about 10 or so miles south turn left onto highway 20. Highway 20 is fairly level and will take you to I-5. For there go south to Sacramento.

South of Sacramento there lots of construction on I-5, especially through Stockton. Consider driving down Route 99. It's parallel to I-5 and a freeway just like I-5. Off highway 99 turn onto route 120 which heads to Yosemite.

[PKI]

As everyone says, HW101 is not difficult. The Avenue of the Giants parallels 101 above and below RWNP. It is a very tight two lane road, but an absolutely must see. Suggest you drop the trailer for the drive.

Enjoy your trip. It's an opportunity for new smiles. Pat

[GumbyGirl]

I live in Brookings...the farthest town south on the Oregon coast... and am originally from San Diego county so we've made the trip many times. Don't take 299. It's steep windy and gets snow on the highest parts. I know the map apps tell you it's the shortest. My brothers have gotten sucked into that problem. It's my least favorite route. We like to go 101 to the Clear Lake road mentioned above. The speeds are a little slower but it's pretty and flat.

[MitchR55]

My wife and I made this trip in January last year, on our way to Arizona. Loved the drive. We stayed in Jeddidiah NP amoungst the redwoods. We even drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, with my wife hanging out the sun roof with my camera to get a picture of Pearl on the bridge.

[TomKirk]

Plan-B route = CA State Hiwy 20 (just north of Ukiah on US 101) will take you to all the way Williams (and I-5) in the Sacramento Valley. You'll travel the length of Clear Lake along the way.

Tom

[NWRVR]

We drive to SF multiple times per year to visit relatives along the way and our son in SF and always take 101 from Lincon City, OR. The scenery is well worth the extra time compared to the 18 wheelers on I-5. We towed our AS on the trip last summer staying in campgrounds for two days each on the way down at Jessie M. Honeyman State Park south of Florence, OR, Harris Beach State Park at Brookings, OR and Ancient Redwoods RV Park south of Ferndale, CA. Easy drive with only a few sections that are curvy but all beautiful. The speed limit is 55 in Oregon and 55 in all of California for towing a trailer. If you are visiting SF consider staying at Marin RV Park north of the City with a 15-minute drive to the Golden Gate. The RV park is just gravel, side by side but clean and convenient. When you leave, take the Richmond Bridge and head East to I-5 or freeways on the East Bay to San Jose if you are continuing South. If traveling from May - October, reserve now if you want to stay in state parks.

On the way down 101, don't be tempted to take the turnoff at Willets to drive Hyw 1, it is a beautiful drive but many switchbacks on cliff edges along the coast from Ft. Bragg down. We drove it with our AS but it can be a white-knuckle drive for the uninitiated!

[Rocinante]

We so wanted to take that route , but our trailer is 2 ft longer than yours and we were worried about whether we'd wind up dragging the tail around one of the switchbacks. Someday!

[phann]

I live in Santa Rosa CA. I wouldn't relish driving through SF with a trailer. Any of the other suggested routes would work for me. Here's my favorite though, a scenic route that takes you through Sonoma and Napa wine country, the Sacramento delta area, and California Gold Country.
1. Take 101 south to 128 east at Geyserville
2. Continue south on hwy 29 past Calistoga, St Helena, and Napa.
3. South of Napa, take the left lanes on to 12 east toward Cordelia/Fairfield.
4. Hwy 12 will lead you onto I-80 east for a few miles
5. Exit the freeway at 12 east toward Rio Vista. (FYI, Bay Area Airstream dealer is nearby in Fairfield). This is the Sacramento Delta area.
6. After Rio Vista, stay on 12 east to get to I-5 or 99
7. If you have time, continue on 12 over to San Andreas on highway 49 (Gold Country). Going south on 49 will get you to 120 east which brings you into Yosemite. Otherwise, I would take 99 south to get to 120 east in Manteca.

Enjoy the ride !

[tvketchum]

Some parts of US 101 are freeway, some are still two lanes, mostly where it goes through state and national parks. It is worth the time to take this route. The Golden Gate Bridge is now electronic tolling only, no cash, but you can register your license plate online at the website, and authorize them to charge a card. The cameras read the front plate, but I am sure they snap the back plate of the trailer, just in case a vehicle from a no front plate state or province rolls through. It costs $29 for our tv and two axle trailer, btw.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

[NWRVR]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

We so wanted to take that route , but our trailer is 2 ft longer than yours and we were worried about whether we'd wind up dragging the tail around one of the switchbacks. Someday!

There is only one (notorious) switchback that I was concerned we would drag by evidence of the rutted pavement from others that we have noted over the years, but we didn't. I think the ones that do drag are the 30'+ motorhomes. I think you would be fine with your 27'. The views are spectacular and worth the effort.

[tjdonahoe]

101 is a nice drive ,did it 3 yrs ago, going back in latter march...